BIOLOGY FOR LIFE
  • IB Bio Syllabus
    • Unity and Diversity (A) >
      • A1 molecules >
        • A1.1: Water
        • A1.2: Nucleic Acids
      • A2 Cells >
        • A2.1: Origins of Cells
        • A2.2: Cell Structure
        • A2.3: Viruses
      • A3 Organisms >
        • A3.1: Diversity of Organisms
        • A3.2: Classification and Cladistics
      • A4 Ecosystems >
        • A4.1: Evolution and Speciation
        • A4.2: Conservation of Biodiversity
    • Form and Function (B) >
      • B1 Molecules >
        • B1.1: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • B1.2: Proteins
      • B2 Cells >
        • B2.1 Membranes and Membrane Transport
        • B2.2 Organelles and Compartmentalization
        • B2.3 Cell Specialization
      • B3 Organisms >
        • B3.1 Gas Exchange
        • B3.2 Transport
        • B3.3 Muscle and Motility
      • B4 Ecosystems >
        • B4.1 Adaptation to Environment
        • B4.2 Ecological Niches
    • Interaction and Interdependence (C) >
      • C1 Molecules >
        • C1.1: Enzymes and Metabolism
        • C1.2: Cell Respiration
        • C1.3: Photosynthesis
      • C2 Cells >
        • C2.1: Chemical Signaling
        • C2.2: Neural Signaling
      • C3 Organisms >
        • C3.1: Integration of Body Systems
        • C3.2: Defense Against Disease
      • C4 Ecosystems >
        • C4.1 Populations and Communities
        • C4.2 Transfers of Energy and Matter
    • Continuity and Change (D) >
      • D1 Molecules >
        • D1.1: DNA Replication
        • D1.2: Protein Synthesis
        • D1.3: Mutation and Gene Editing
      • D2 Cells >
        • D2.1: Cell and Nuclear Division
        • D2.2: Gene Expression
        • D2.3: Water Potential
      • D3 Organisms >
        • D3.1: Reproduction
        • D3.2: Inheritance
        • D3.3: Homeostasis
      • D4 Ecosystems >
        • D4.1: Natural Selection
        • D4.2: Stability and Change
        • D4.3: Climate Change
  • IB Requirements
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Research Design
      • Analysis
      • Conclusion
      • Evaluation
    • External Assessment >
      • Exam Revision
    • Extended Essay
    • Reflective Project
    • Collaborative Sciences Project
    • Learner Profile
  • Skills for Biology
    • Tools >
      • Experimental Techniques >
        • Addressing Safety
        • Measuring Variables >
          • Measurement Uncertainties
          • Observations
          • Biological Drawings
        • Applying Techniques >
          • Microscopy
      • Technology >
        • Tech to Collect Data
        • Tech to Process Data
      • Mathematics >
        • General Math
        • Units and Symbols
        • Processing Uncertainties
        • Graphing >
          • Types of Graphs
          • How to Graph
          • Graph Error Bars
    • Inquiry Processes >
      • Exploring >
        • Research Questions
        • Hypotheses and Predictions
      • Designing >
        • Variables
        • Sampling
      • Control of Variables
      • Collecting Data >
        • Data Tables
      • Processing Data
      • Interpreting Results
      • Concluding
      • Evaluating >
        • Error Analysis
  • Statistics
    • Descriptive Statistics >
      • Skew and the Normal Distribution
      • Outliers
      • Measures of Central Tendancy
      • Measures of Dispersion
      • Correlation Coefficients
      • Coefficient of Determination
    • Inferential Statistics >
      • Standard Error
      • T-Test
      • ANOVA
      • Kruskal-Wallis
      • X2 Test of Independence
      • X2 Goodness of Fit
    • Glossary of Statistic Terms and Equations
  • SHS Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • Wood Duck Project (legacy)
      • Invasive Crayfish Project (legacy)
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes (legacy)
      • Lab Practicals (legacy)
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
  • Contact
    • About >
      • Philosophy
      • Resume
      • Reflection
      • Favorite Quotes
      • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Arizona (2022)
    • Florida (2023)
    • Belize (2024)
    • Costa Rica (2025)
  • Summer Ecology Research
  • Teacher Resources

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of recommendation request requirements:
  • It is beyond the second week of the school year 
  • You have been Ms. vB's student for at least six months and/or you took the summer ecology research course

And, either
  • you feel like the work effort and quality you completed in IB Biology represents your "best"
  • you struggled in IB biology but learned a lot about yourself 
  • you challenged yourself by taking IB biology and you are proud of the learning your achieved 

Steps for getting a recommendation by Ms. von Bargen:
  1. At an opportune time, politely ask Ms. vB if she will recommend you.  Be sure to use the word "please" in your request.  Nothing dooms your letter of recommendation fate more than demanding a letter from your teacher or asking at a time when the teacher is busy trying to teach or prepare for a lesson.  Keep in mind that the letters of recommendation are written outside of the school day, during your teacher's personal time.  You need to respect that and ask nicely.  You must use the word "please."  No exceptions.
  2. If the answer to step #1 is yes, complete this form. Please complete the questions to the best of your ability. The more effort you put into answering the questions, the more detail that can be included in your letter of recommendation.
  3. Submit your responses to the questions as soon as you can.  After submitting your responses to Ms. vB, expect to wait at least 3 weeks before your letter is complete and submitted. 
  4. Ms. vB will submit your letter of recommendation directly to the college or common application. A copy of the letter will NOT be given to you. You will be informed when your letter has been submitted.
I give many of my IB Biology resources away, for the benefit of students and teachers around the world. 
If you've found the materials helpful, please consider sending a gift from our classroom wish list.


​Did I forget something?  Know of a mistake? Have a suggestion?  Let me know by emailing me here.

Before using any of the files available on this site,
​please familiarize yourself with the 
Creative Commons Attribution License. 
​​​It prohibits the use of any material on this site for commercial  purposes of any kind.  ​
​
Picture
  • IB Bio Syllabus
    • Unity and Diversity (A) >
      • A1 molecules >
        • A1.1: Water
        • A1.2: Nucleic Acids
      • A2 Cells >
        • A2.1: Origins of Cells
        • A2.2: Cell Structure
        • A2.3: Viruses
      • A3 Organisms >
        • A3.1: Diversity of Organisms
        • A3.2: Classification and Cladistics
      • A4 Ecosystems >
        • A4.1: Evolution and Speciation
        • A4.2: Conservation of Biodiversity
    • Form and Function (B) >
      • B1 Molecules >
        • B1.1: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • B1.2: Proteins
      • B2 Cells >
        • B2.1 Membranes and Membrane Transport
        • B2.2 Organelles and Compartmentalization
        • B2.3 Cell Specialization
      • B3 Organisms >
        • B3.1 Gas Exchange
        • B3.2 Transport
        • B3.3 Muscle and Motility
      • B4 Ecosystems >
        • B4.1 Adaptation to Environment
        • B4.2 Ecological Niches
    • Interaction and Interdependence (C) >
      • C1 Molecules >
        • C1.1: Enzymes and Metabolism
        • C1.2: Cell Respiration
        • C1.3: Photosynthesis
      • C2 Cells >
        • C2.1: Chemical Signaling
        • C2.2: Neural Signaling
      • C3 Organisms >
        • C3.1: Integration of Body Systems
        • C3.2: Defense Against Disease
      • C4 Ecosystems >
        • C4.1 Populations and Communities
        • C4.2 Transfers of Energy and Matter
    • Continuity and Change (D) >
      • D1 Molecules >
        • D1.1: DNA Replication
        • D1.2: Protein Synthesis
        • D1.3: Mutation and Gene Editing
      • D2 Cells >
        • D2.1: Cell and Nuclear Division
        • D2.2: Gene Expression
        • D2.3: Water Potential
      • D3 Organisms >
        • D3.1: Reproduction
        • D3.2: Inheritance
        • D3.3: Homeostasis
      • D4 Ecosystems >
        • D4.1: Natural Selection
        • D4.2: Stability and Change
        • D4.3: Climate Change
  • IB Requirements
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Research Design
      • Analysis
      • Conclusion
      • Evaluation
    • External Assessment >
      • Exam Revision
    • Extended Essay
    • Reflective Project
    • Collaborative Sciences Project
    • Learner Profile
  • Skills for Biology
    • Tools >
      • Experimental Techniques >
        • Addressing Safety
        • Measuring Variables >
          • Measurement Uncertainties
          • Observations
          • Biological Drawings
        • Applying Techniques >
          • Microscopy
      • Technology >
        • Tech to Collect Data
        • Tech to Process Data
      • Mathematics >
        • General Math
        • Units and Symbols
        • Processing Uncertainties
        • Graphing >
          • Types of Graphs
          • How to Graph
          • Graph Error Bars
    • Inquiry Processes >
      • Exploring >
        • Research Questions
        • Hypotheses and Predictions
      • Designing >
        • Variables
        • Sampling
      • Control of Variables
      • Collecting Data >
        • Data Tables
      • Processing Data
      • Interpreting Results
      • Concluding
      • Evaluating >
        • Error Analysis
  • Statistics
    • Descriptive Statistics >
      • Skew and the Normal Distribution
      • Outliers
      • Measures of Central Tendancy
      • Measures of Dispersion
      • Correlation Coefficients
      • Coefficient of Determination
    • Inferential Statistics >
      • Standard Error
      • T-Test
      • ANOVA
      • Kruskal-Wallis
      • X2 Test of Independence
      • X2 Goodness of Fit
    • Glossary of Statistic Terms and Equations
  • SHS Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • Wood Duck Project (legacy)
      • Invasive Crayfish Project (legacy)
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes (legacy)
      • Lab Practicals (legacy)
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
  • Contact
    • About >
      • Philosophy
      • Resume
      • Reflection
      • Favorite Quotes
      • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Arizona (2022)
    • Florida (2023)
    • Belize (2024)
    • Costa Rica (2025)
  • Summer Ecology Research
  • Teacher Resources